The iPad will warn users when the data limit is within reach.
Friday Apple updated its iPad section with new details regarding the Wi-Fi + 3G model. Here the company explains the two data plans provided by AT&T: $15 per month for 250 MB, and $30 per month for unlimited access. As we previously reported, subscribers won't be bound by a contract-- they can cancel the service at any time without any kind of early termination fee.
For consumers who only want the "lite" plan, the iPad will have a built-in monitor that will keep track of data usage. Apple said that the device will even let the user know when they're running out of data allowances.
"You’ll get three alerts as you near your 250MB limit-- at 20 percent, 10 percent, and zero," the company said. "With each alert, you can choose to add more data or wait and do it later. Tap Now and iPad opens the Cellular Data Plan window so you can update your data plan."
Ultimately, iPad owners who choose the "lite" version will merely be buying chunks of data rather than feeling the 250 MB-per-month lock-down. Ran out of allowance? Another $15 within the same month will buy another 250 MB chunk. Consumers who need more than 250 MB per month are probably better off going "unlimited." Then again, big downloads are better suited for Wi-Fi mode.
Is $30 too much to pay for unlimited access? Besides, is it really unlimited? The term has been loosely used by ISPs and mobile carriers for years, and have proven that unlimited isn't necessarily... unlimited, asking users to cut back. With that said, our director of news operation Tuan (via Skype) suggested a new pricing scheme that better suits the actual meaning of unlimited:
- $15 for limited unlimited
- $30 for unlimited unlimited
- $39 for unlimited without "accidental random" connection down times
- $45 for we-won't-contact-you unlimited
- $60 for unlimited
In other related news, the pre-order program kicks off today.
